So it’s official now, Nebraska is in the Big 10. Statements have been released: including these by Illinois Fighting Illini athletic department big wigs:
Director of athletics Ron Guenther:
“Nebraska is a special brand and is a very good fit for the Big Ten. They have a broad-based program including a nationally recognized football team. Nebraska is a good academic and geographic fit for the conference and I believe the culture is very similar to existing members in the Big Ten.”
Football head coach Ron Zook:
“Nebraska has a great football tradition as well as a high level of success in many other sports. They bring the Big Ten to an even number and are a good fit as a strong midwestern university. They will provide another challenge in an already extremely competitive conference, but we look forward to competing with the Cornhuskers as soon as the schedules can be coordinated.”
Men’s basketball head coach Bruce Weber:
“Nebraska is a great addition to our league as another strong state school with a passionate following like so many in our conference. Doc Sadler is a great, defensive-minded coach from the Eddie Sutton coaching tree just like Coach (Gene) Keady, and his teams will always play hard and be a difficult opponent.”